[Extirpation of metastases (author's transl)]

Seventy-two lung and 25 liver metastases were excised after radical local removal of the primary tumor. The 5-year survival rate was 41% and the 10-year survival rate 22% for patients in whom lung metastases had been excised. After the removal of liver metastases the 5-year and 10-year survival rates were 36% and 29% respectively. It is concluded that lung or liver metastases should be excised in certain defined cases. Pathologic fractures caused by bone metastases are stabilized by palliative internal fixation. In the cases of bone metastases, cure can only be expected when they are caused by hypernephroid and thyroid carcinomas.